Plumstead has a safety index of 32 out of 100 (Higher reported crime). This is a relative measure comparing reported crime across Cape Town suburbs, not an absolute safety guarantee. The Dieprivier precinct recorded approximately 1,728 crimes in the most recent annual period. Absolute crime volume is below the city average.

Is Plumstead affordable?

Plumstead is among the higher-value suburbs in Cape Town. The median property value of R2.5M places it in the 68th percentile, above most of the city. Note that these figures are based on the City of Cape Town General Valuation 2022 and reflect municipal valuations, not necessarily current market prices.

What are utility costs in Plumstead?

The median monthly water cost per account in Plumstead is R701, 7% above the city median of R658. The median monthly electricity cost per account in Plumstead is R1,655, 13% below the median of CoCT-billed suburbs of R1,900.

What is the municipal debt in Plumstead?

As of May 2026, the average outstanding municipal debt per account in Plumstead is R9,831, 12% above the city median of R8,815. Figures include all account types, so may overstate household debt in areas with commercial activity.

Plumstead

A suburb with higher reported crime, above-average property values, and strong school performance relative to Cape Town.

Safety32/100Safer than 24% of Cape Town suburbs (relative) · ↓ Improving Property1.5-2MTop 32%Schools897% matric pass rate Healthcare13 facilitiesmore access than most suburbs CouncilNear avg complaints2d median resolution TransportMinibus taxi coverage3 routes serving the area

Data current as of June 2026

#20 Best Schools

The neighbourhood

What's it like to live here?

Plumstead is a neighbourhood in Southern Suburbs, Cape Town, where property values sit in the middle-to-upper range for Cape Town. The area's safety profile is below the city average for reported safety. There is a strong presence of places of worship serving the community. The dominant commuter mode is private vehicle.

How is the area changing?

In Plumstead, crime is declining based on the most recent quarterly comparison. Property values have broadly tracked inflation between valuation rolls.

What should buyers know?

Plumstead is well-served by schools, and matric results exceed the city average by a comfortable margin. In this area, service complaints are generally resolved within a few days. The suburb is well-served by nearby healthcare facilities.

Neighbourhood summary generated from StreetSignal data and reviewed by our team.

These statistics describe the suburb as a whole. Conditions vary between streets and neighbourhoods within any suburb.

For home buyers & families

Is Plumstead safe?

Higher reported crime

Higher crimeModerateLower crime

36th percentile among 744 suburbs · Data: Q4 2025/2026 (Jan–Mar 2026) · relative index, not an absolute safety measure

Very lowAbsolute crime volume

1 728 reported crimes per year · city median: 4 280

↓ 15.0% vs Q3 2024

Rate and volume tell different stories.

The per-capita rate appears high, but actual crime volume (1 728) is below the city median.

Crime is higher than most of Cape Town but has been decreasing over the past year. Contact crime (assault, robbery) dominates the reported crime profile. Check the breakdown below for specifics.

Detailed data

Safety index (resident-adjusted) How is this calculated?: 32 / 100
Contact crime rate: 182,878 per 100k residents
Station population: 32 445
Harm rate (per resident): 29/100
Harm volume (absolute): 36/100
Data period: Q4 2025/2026 (Jan–Mar 2026)
Source: SAPS via DataFirst · CC-BY 4.0

This data reflects crimes reported to SAPS Dieprivier precinct, which covers Plumstead and surrounding suburbs. Reported crime may differ from actual crime levels.Full methodology

Disagree with this score? Challenge the methodology ›

Source: SAPS via DataFirst · Q4 2025/2026

FOR BUYERS & INVESTORS

What do properties cost in Plumstead?

68th percentile

Planned development

3 hectares of land in Plumstead are earmarked for new development across 1 parcel, primarily Medium Density Residential (3ha).

Source: CCT District Spatial Development Framework (January 2023). Development areas indicate planning designation, not construction timelines.

The median property value in Plumstead is R2.5M. Property values have grown by 4.7% per year since 2018.

A 4.7% annual growth rate (CAGR) over the valuation period.

Value band distribution – Plumstead properties (GV2022)

6-800k

800k-1M

1-1.5M

1.5-2M ◀

2-2.5M

2.5-3M

3-3.5M

Property values are based on the City of Cape Town's 2022 General Valuation roll. GV is an assessed value for municipal rating purposes; transaction prices frequently exceed GV. Recent sales transaction data and rental market data are not available as open data in South Africa.

Median GV2022: R2,530,000
Value growth (CAGR 2018–2022): +4.7% per year↑ Growing
City-wide value percentile: 68th percentile
Dominant value band: 1.5-2M
Source: CCT GV 2022 · Open Data Policy 27781
Vintage: General Valuation 2022 (municipal valuation, not current market price)

Source: City of Cape Town GV2022

FOR RESIDENTS

What do utilities cost in Plumstead?

Computed from City of Cape Town billing data

Water

R701 / month

7% above city median

Electricity

R1 655 / month

13% below median of CoCT-billed suburbs

Water trend:Dec 2025: R806Jan 2026: R701Feb 2026: R655

Electricity trend:Dec 2025: R1 764Jan 2026: R1 655Feb 2026: R1 502

Monthly cost per account from City of Cape Town billing data. Water coverage: 647 suburbs. Electricity coverage: 384 suburbs.

INVESTMENT ACTIVITY

Development activity in Plumstead

↑ Increasing

Plumstead had 272 building plans approved in the last three financial years (FY22/23 to FY24/25), averaging 91 per year. Most were renovations and extensions.

3-year approvals: 272
Annual average: 91/yr
Avg project value: R811K

Building plans approved by the City of Cape Town (2014-2025). Approvals indicate planned investment, not completed construction. This data reflects formal building activity only and does not capture informal construction, backyard dwellings, or building work undertaken without a formal plan submission. In areas with high informality, actual construction activity may be substantially higher than these figures suggest. Source: CoCT Building Development Management (DAMS).

FOR PARENTS

How are schools in Plumstead?

8 schools nearby

Plumstead has 8 schools within reach. The area matric pass rate is 96.6%, above the city median of 90.0%. Schools include Khanyisa School.

Adjusted pass rate: 96.6%; City median: 90.0%
Schools contributing: 3; 586 candidates
Median quintile: Q5; Q4-Q5

IND
Khanyisa School
Independent · Grades R–7 · 43 learners · 8.6:1 learner-educator ratio
PrivateFavourable class size
Q5
St. Anne'S Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 277 learners · 25.2:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees applyFavourable class size
Q5
Plumstead Preparatory
Public · Grades R–7 · 581 learners · 26.4:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees applyFavourable class size
Q5
John Graham Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 508 learners · 22.1:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees applyFavourable class size
Q5
Timour Hall Primary School
Public · Grades R–7 · 750 learners · 23.4:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees applyFavourable class size
Q5
Norman Henshilwood High School
Public · Grades 8–12 · 1,070 learners · 19.1:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees applyFavourable class size
Q5
Plumstead High School
Public · Grades 8–12 · 1,101 learners · 30.6:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply
Q5
South Peninsula High School
Public · Grades 8–12 · 1,030 learners · 32.2:1 learner-educator ratio
Quintile 5School fees apply

Quintile 5 is the highest government-funding category - fees apply, but these are the best-resourced public schools in South Africa. Rankings set by the WCED against community socioeconomic index. Learner-educator ratio (LER) is from EMIS Q2 2025; under 30:1 is favourable by WCED standards, over 40:1 indicates strained capacity. What quintile means ›

Source: DBE EMIS · Q2 2025

FOR COMMUTERS

How connected is Plumstead?

Private vehicle dominant

Plumstead has 3 minibus taxi routes. The most common way people get to work is by private vehicle (87%).

Taxi connectivity

Low connectivity

3 routes

15th percentile · 4 destinations

Grassy park, Lotus river, Plumstead, Via plumstead - wynberg

Based on CCT minibus taxi route data. Routes matched by name and spatial proximity (500m). Methodology ›

Commute mode share

Anyone relocating to Plumstead needs a car. The 87% private vehicle share is a socioeconomic profile signal, not a walkability score – in working-class Cape Town suburbs the same walking rate indicates structural necessity. Here it is lifestyle choice.

Private vehicle

87%

Walking

MyCiTi bus

Minibus taxi

Cape Town transport context: In South African cities, transport mode is a socioeconomic proxy – high private vehicle = affluent, high minibus taxi = working class, high walking = structural necessity not preference. StreetSignal reports modal share rather than a walkability index, which would misrepresent SA urban mobility. Methodology ›

Dominant mode: Private vehicle (87%)
Source: CCT Household Survey 2024

Source: City of Cape Town Open Data · 2024

FOR RESIDENTS

What are living conditions in Plumstead?

Full municipal services

Plumstead has a service delivery index of 99+ out of 100, above the city median of 84.5. 97% of dwellings are formal structures.

Computed from the City of Cape Town 2024 Household Survey, Diep River/Plumstead survey group (79 households). direct.

› Monthly accommodation expenditure (R4,211) is 2.5× the city median of R1,674.› High digital connectivity: 88% of households have home internet access.

Access to basic services

99+City median: 85

Piped water: 100.0%
Flush toilet: 100.0%
Weekly refuse: 100.0%
Grid electricity: 100.0%

Housing & tenure – Mixed tenure community

97City median: 68

Formal dwellings: 96.9%
Owner-occupied: 46.9%
Rented: 25.0%

Environmental risk – Low risk exposure

8risk index · higher = greater risk · City median: 26

Flooding risk: 4.3%
Fire risk: 0.0%
Violent crime: 0.0%
Non-violent crime: 0.0%

Economic structure – Moderate material pressure

Food spending share: 26.9%; Share of income spent on food
City median: 35.3%
Comfortable, moderate discretionary income · 81st percentile
Hardship dimensions: 0; Areas of material need (out of 8)
Grant income share: 26.0%; of households receiving grants
Monthly savings: R878; Weighted mean per household

Digital inclusion – Fibre-connected suburb

Home fibre: 88.5%; City median: 46.5%
Mobile only: 7.6%
No access: 2.0%

Food security

Adult food insecurity: 0.4%; City median: 18.3%
Child food insecurity: 0.4%; City median: 13.0%
Food insecurity prevalence: 4.3%; City median: 22.3%

Demographics & community

Avg household size: 2.2 people
Avg children per household: 0.4

Asset ownership

Computer access: 80.7%
Fridge ownership: 97.6%
Property ownership: 2.0%
Geyser ownership: 85.7%
Borehole access: 15.4%

Home-based economy

Home-based business: 4.8%; of households operate a home-based business
WFH full-time: 3.9%
WFH part-time: 0.9%

Source: City of Cape Town 2024 Household Survey. Survey group: Diep River/Plumstead. direct.

Energy access

Free basic electricity

5.6%

City median

8% of electricity connections in Plumstead receive free basic electricity under the City's indigent support programme. Free basic electricity is a constitutional entitlement providing a monthly allocation to qualifying households. The proportion reflects the reach of the City's indigent support in this suburb, not a measure of poverty.

Source: CCT prepaid electricity data (2025/11/30 to 2026/01/31). Covers prepaid connections only. Credit-metered households are not included. 16,693 connections.

Source: City of Cape Town household survey · 2024

FOR RESIDENTS

How responsive are municipal services in Plumstead?

Responsive

The City of Cape Town resolves service requests in Plumstead in a median of 2 days, compared to the city-wide median of 1 day. This is based on 23,204 service requests to the City of Cape Town.

Computed from City of Cape Town service request data

Below-average municipal responsiveness. A 2-day median resolution is slower than the city median – infrastructure complaints take meaningfully longer to resolve.

Median days to resolve
City median: 1

38th

Percentile
across Cape Town

31%

Resolved
same day

Power outage (14%)Street lights out (8%)Suspect Tampering (7%)Sewerage overflow (5%)Single street light out (5%)

Service requests logged: 23 204
Requests resolved: 72% (16 646 of 23 204)
75% resolved within: 6 days
90% resolved within: 17 days
Source: CCT service request database

Community & faith

Places of worship

14 registered

Christian

Places of worship per suburb from City of Cape Town open data, supplemented with OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Coverage: 373 of 744 suburbs.

Municipal complaints

Complaints & top issues

Near city average

Complaint rate How is this calculated?: 2389.7 per 1,000 households
Total complaints: 23 163
Unresolved: 28.0%

Top issues: Power outage (3 285), Street lights out (1 753), Suspect Tampering (1 583)

Source: City of Cape Town C3 service requests

MUNICIPAL FINANCE

Municipal debt in Plumstead

12% above city median

Computed from City of Cape Town financial data

Municipal debt in Plumstead averages R9 831 per account, compared to the city median of R8 815.

R9 831

per account

12% above city median

Trend:Mar 2026: R9 465Apr 2026: R10 584May 2026: R9 831

Breakdown as of May 2026

Property rates: R11 463 826
Electricity: R11 944 445
Water: R10 761 677
Refuse: R2 138 761
Sewerage: R4 157 300
City-wide cleaning: R518 543
Improvement district: R0

Outstanding municipal arrears from City of Cape Town financial records. Coverage: 741 suburbs. Per-account figures available for 582 suburbs.

FOR FAMILIES

What services are near Plumstead?

Well served

Healthcare access

13 within 5km

Nearest public: Diep River Clinic · Community Day Centre · 1.4 km
Nearest private: Mediclinic Constantiaberg · Private Hospital · 1.1 km
Public facilities: 9
Private facilities: 4

This suburb has access to both public and private healthcare within 5 km.

The nearest fire station to Plumstead is Wynberg, 2.1 km away. The nearest public pool is Wynberg Swimming Pool, 1.7 km away. The nearest clinic is Mediclinic Constantiaberg, 1.1 km away.

Nearest clinic: Mediclinic Constantiaberg · 1.1 km
Nearest library: Plumstead · 0.5 km
Nearest park / open space: Lympleigh Road Park · 0.56 km